24Sep
Mon
25th Week in Ordinary Time
Ezr. 1:1-6
Ps. 126:1-6
Lk. 8:16-18
How To Pray With Shalom
Home Page of Shalom
Index of This Month
 

The message of the Gospel is clear enough. It is not meant to be kept hidden. We are not a 'mystery religion'; we are not a secret society. It is a message that is to be proclaimed from the housetops. Jesus is the Light of the world and His followers are also to be like lamps shining out for all the world to see. An invisible Christian is a contradiction in terms. Forcing others to believe is not possible; inviting others to hear the message and consider it is something else. We believe that the Gospel offers a way of life that brings great happiness to the lives of individuals and of whole societies if it is really lived. So, part of our communicating the message is as much through our lifestyle ("See! it works!") as through what we say.

But we cannot proclaim if we do not understand the inner meaning. "Take heed, therefore, HOW you hear," says Jesus today. It has to be a hearing which understands, accepts, assimilates and puts into practice. And it is a work that is never completed. And so, "to the one who has, more will be given". And "he who has not [because he has not been hearing and absorbing properly] will lose even the little he has". To be a Christian is not to reach a certain level and stay there; essentially it means constant growth and development. To stay still or to stagnate is to go back.



Oh Jesus, help me to spread the fragrance of Your message everywhere I go by every word I speak and every action I do.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That the adolescents and young people of the third millennium may discover a profound ideal to devote themselves to.
Elaboration

- END -









P R A Y I N G    W I T H    T H E    C H U R C H    

INTENTION : That the adolescents and young people of the third millennium may discover a profound ideal to devote themselves to.

"Lord Jesus, you have made these young people your friends; keep them for ever close to you! Amen." This closing prayer of John Paul II at the Mass in Korazim in the Holy Land last year indicates the deep concern he has for the youth of the third millennium.

At the Mount of Beatitudes, the Holy Father looked down on the assembled youth and said, "How may generations before us have been deeply moved by the Sermon on the Mount! How many young people down the centuries have gathered around Jesus to learn the words of eternal life, as you are gathered here today! It is wonderful that you are here!"

The ideal the Holy Father proposes to the youth of today is that they look at Jesus, who embodies the Beatitudes. They will see what it means to be poor in spirit, gentle and merciful, to mourn, to care for what is right, to be pure in heart, to make peace, to be persecuted. He challenges them to go out into the world and preach the message of the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes which speak of truth and goodness, and grace and freedom: of all that is necessary to enter Christ's Kingdom. Now it is their turn to be courageous apostles of that kingdom.




- END -